A column by Amanda Platell on 17 September 2011 referred to Sheryl Gascoigne as a ‘gold digger’ and as ‘sleazy and degrading company’ for the other participants in the Leveson Inquiry. We now accept that these allegations are entirely unfounded and went beyond fair comment. We have sincerely apologised to Ms Gascoigne in court for the distress caused and have agreed to pay her substantial damages and costs.

[All references to Sheryl Gascoigne have been silently removed from this article. Interestingly, the article was last updated on 3rd February. It seems to have taken them eight weeks to get round to mentioning the correction]